A BIG manhunt in Khao Ang Rue Nai Wildlife Preserve Area by 200 policemen and forestry official all night and till this afternoon (Jan. 6) led to the arrest of a security guard wanted for the rape of a woman residing at the Thonburi condominium building he guarded on Monday night (Jan. 3), Matichon newspaper and Sanook.com said.
This conservation forest covering an area of 643,750 square metres spreads across five provinces which are Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Sa Kaeo.
Metropolitan and Sa Kaeo provincial policemen supported by forestry officials and two paramotors as well as police dogs mounted the huge manhunt for Mr. Montree Yaikratok, 40, who is charged with raping the 36-year-old woman that night.
He was found hiding at the 100 Years Botanical Garden, which is part of this wildlife sanctuary, after his mother’s motorcycle was found parked at his friend’s house.
The large team of policemen and officials had been tipped off by local residents that they had seen the suspect in the Sra Luang area and over a hundred of them closely tracked him but cautiously so because they had heard sound of gunshots.
Pol Lt. Gen. Samran Nuanma, head of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said this case has been divided into three parts as follows:
1) Tracking and arresting the suspect after an arrest warrant was issued for him;
2) Petchkasem police station has been assigned to prosecute the condominium juristic person for obstructing the arrest of the suspect;
3) Pol Maj. Gen. Nitinan Phetborom has been assigned to check how the suspect was issued a licence in 2019 and whether any officials should face legal action for issuing it.
A background check had revealed that the suspect was convicted of raping of a child under 15 years of age in Sa Kaeo in 2013.
CAPTIONS:
Top: The suspect and CCTV images of him the night the rape took place. The Thai headline says, “Arrested.”
Home Page: His friend’s house where he had parked his motorcycle. Photos: Matichon
Also read: Police: Condo juristic person at fault for blocking entry to probe rape case